A Performance of a Swahili Poem Analysed

The recitation of a nineteenth century Swahili poem is analyzed for the devices in spoken Swahili used by the performer to keep the audience's attention. The poem has a very formal structure in both rhyme, rhythm, and words linking one stanza to the next, giving it great rigidity. The primary f...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inYork Papers in Linguistics Vol. 15; pp. 177 - 220
Main Author Maw, Joan
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published 01.07.1991
Subjects
Foreign Countries
Intonation
Language Patterns
Language Research
Linguistic Theory
Oral Interpretation
Pitch (Language)
Poetry
Suprasegmentals
Swahili
Uncommonly Taught Languages
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Summary:The recitation of a nineteenth century Swahili poem is analyzed for the devices in spoken Swahili used by the performer to keep the audience's attention. The poem has a very formal structure in both rhyme, rhythm, and words linking one stanza to the next, giving it great rigidity. The primary focus of the analysis is on three variables: intonation, pitch, and dynamics. Intonation is examined for distribution, type, placement, and tonality. Patterns in pitch placement and range and in loudness are also discussed. It is concluded that in this analysis, a previously unrecorded intonation pattern emerged. In addition, future analyses should look for high unstressed presalient syllables, a falling salient in one particular tone-group, and use of another tone-group in statements. The performer's use of these and other devices for interpretation of the poem is seen as contributing significantly to the expression of meaning in the work. Swahili and English texts of the poem, and tabulations of the phonetic analyses, are appended. (MSE)